Human coronaviruses in severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases in southwest India

Abstract

Acute viral respiratory infections (AVRI) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among all age groups globally. Except for Influenza virus and Respiratory Syncytial virus, mostly viral aetiology of AVRI remains undiagnosed. Lately, human coronaviruses (HCoVs) have emerged as an important aetiology of AVRI. A laboratory based retrospective cross sectional study was conducted in which respiratory samples (throat swabs) of patients (n = 864), with Influenza negative SARI, of all age groups between Jan 2011-Dec 2012 were tested for HCoVs including MERS-CoV using Conventional and real time PCR assays. The prevalence of HCoV among SARI cases was 1.04% (9/864) [95% CI: 0.36-1.72]. Of these four (44.44%) were identified as HCoV OC43, three (33.33%) as HCoV NL63 and two (22.22%) as HCoV 229E. No HCoV HKU1 was detected. The samples were also negative for SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. The results of this study documents low prevalence of human coronaviruses in SARI cases in south western India and the absence of highly pathogenic human coronaviruses. As the study included only SARI cases the prevalence reported could be an under estimate when it is extrapolated to community.

More than just a common cold: Endemic coronaviruses OC43, HKU1, NL63, and 229E associated with severe acute respiratory infection and fatality cases among healthy adults

“…Endemic coronaviruses OC43, HKU1, NL63, and 229E can infect the upper respiratory tract of humans, causing mild or moderate disease. Severe symptoms like pneumonia are more commonly reported in children and patients with comorbidities, 4,5,[19][20][21][22] whereas in healthy adults, severe disease associated to these coronaviruses is rare. Accordingly, we found only one report describing infection with HCoV 229E associated with SARI in a healthy adult, who showed clinical improvement after treatment with corticosteroids.…”

“…Other respiratory viruses, like metapneumovirus (hMPV), bocavirus (HBoV), rhinovirus, and coronavirus (HCoV) 229E, NL63, HKU1, and OC43 are usually associated with mild disease; nonetheless, individuals infected with these viruses may also present SARI. [2][3][4][5] Of note, the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) epidemics that occurred in 2002 to 2003 and 2012, respectively, and the current coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID- 19) pandemic are caused by zoonotic transmission of highly pathogenic coronaviruses, namely, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2, respectively. 6,7 Epidemiological surveillance of respiratory viruses is the basis for disease control, prevention, and preparedness.…”

Human bocavirus, coronavirus, and polyomavirus detected among patients hospitalised with severe acute respiratory illness in South Africa, 2012 to 2013

“…Acute respiratory tract infections cause substantial mortality and morbidity in all ages globally. Apart from influenza and respiratory syncytial viruses (RSVs), several other respiratory viruses remain largely undiagnosed.…”

“…Acute respiratory tract infections cause substantial mortality and morbidity in all ages globally. Apart from influenza and respiratory syncytial viruses (RSVs), several other respiratory viruses remain largely undiagnosed. Understanding and defining the contribution of viral etiologies of severe respiratory illness in countries like South Africa that have a high burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and associated acquired immunodeficiency syndrome may be important for health management and planning.…”

Coronavirus threat to Indian population: risk factors, transmission dynamics and preparedness to prevent the spread of the virus

“…Coronavirus infections are not uncommon among children in India. 3 hospital-based studies were done in past to determine the incidences of coronavirus infections [3,8,12]. These reports suggested that there are cases of human coronavirus infections in India albeit at low rate.…”